Harbaugh Denies Concussion

Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh finally spoke to the media on Monday. He had to come back to a few topics rather than focus on the upcoming "Big Game."

Harbaugh did not address the print media after the Notre Dame game and thought he needed to "clarify" the circumstances that led to Pritchard being removed from the game with a head injury and then returning for a series in the fourth quarter.

Pritchard, according to Harbaugh, was assessed by the team's medical personnel on the sidelines after the violent hit by Notre Dame's Terrail Lambert after a 19-yard rush. Harbaugh said Pritchard was cleared to return to the game in the fourth quarter before Ostrander was hit in the elbow and temporarily lost feeling in three fingers on his throwing hand.

"There's a series of tests for anybody who has had concussion-like symptoms on the sidelines," Harbaugh said. "That's not the call of Tavita or the coaches. That's a medical decision by our doctors.

"He was asked a series of questions - the NFL and college football have an evaluation that takes place after a hit - and he passed that test. The doctors made the decision about two plays before T.C. got hit on the elbow, confirming that (Pritchard) was available to go back in."

Prior to that point, the team doctors had hidden Pritchard's helmet from him to keep him off the field following the helmet-to-helmet hit. Pritchard did get his helmet back, and got back into the game.
Pritchard made no mention of being tested and assessed immediately after the game.

Pritchard was drilled in the head late in the third quarter, forcing him to the sideline. He returned briefly after Ostrander injured his hand, but he finished the game on the bench.

"I saw T.C. out, so I ran to the doctor and asked if I could go back in?" Pritchard said, "because they took my helmet. He was asking me if I was OK? And I said, 'Yeah, I'm OK.' I just ran in."

In the locker room after the game, Pritchard's eyes looked glazed, and he said he "had a little bit of a headache right now. But I'm all right."

No one has heard directly from medical staff, and the contradicting evidence to Harbaugh's assertion is all anecdotal, observational and clearly lacking a medical opinion. It would be reasonable to accept that Jim Harbaugh was being honest about the matter. That said, this doesn't feel right.

There were reporters after the game who saw Pritchard, saying he appeared to have glazed eyes and admitting to a headache. ESPN cameras caught Pritchard on the sidelines looking completely spaced for an extended period after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit. Then there was the performance of Pritchard when he came back into the game for 3 plays (two poor passes that went incomplete and a sack) that definitely looked like a player not ready to be back out there. Finally, Pritchard never made another appearance in the game after Ostrander had feeling returning to his fingers after the hit to his elbow.

I want to believe there was no concussion diagnosed. That the medical testing was actually performed and was competently done. That Jim Harbaugh was not reckless with a player's long-term health (that he didn't pull a Belotti). I just don't feel convinced.

Previously at FanHouse:
Harbaugh Hides After Games
Harbaugh Has to Answer QB Abuse Questions